Level attachment



July 22 1924. 1,502,255

D. LEMIEUX LEVEL ATTACHMENT Filed June 14 1922 a M Q Q I 1 L k i "H.

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W/ R a. 7,1? 35% 6W0 we? Patented July 22, 1924.

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DABIE LEMIEUX, OE LEEDS, NORTH DAKOTA.

LEVEL ATTACHMENT Application filed June 1 1, 1922. Serial No. 568,209.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DABIE Lnwnzux, a citizen of the United States, residing at Leeds, in the county of Benson and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new" and useful Improvements in a Level Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a measuring device for aiding physicians in determining the comparative elasticity of the lungs as a whole and also various portions thereof.

The device includes certain novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is another end elevation thereof,

1 and Figure 4 is a detailed perspective of an attachment used upon the device.

Referring to the drawing in detail it will be seen that 1 designates the elongated body which is circular in transverse cross section and provided with a cavity 2 centrally located for receiving a spirit level 3. A pair of supporting members are provided one being disposed adjacent each end of the body 1. The supporting element 4 includes the sleeve 5 for receiving the body 1 and supported by the depending diverging legs 6 which are braced adj acentthe lower ends by the rod 7. The lower ends of the legs 6 terminate in curved extensions 8. The other supporting element 9 includes the sleeve 10 provided with the depending diverging arms 11 to which are hinged the legs 12 which terminate in the curved extensions 13. A rod 14 is hinged to one leg as at 15 intermediate its ends and passes through the other leg intermediate its ends. The end of this rod is threaded as at 16 for receiving the nut 17 which may be brought into engagement with the adjacent leg 12 so as to hinge the legs toward each other and raising the sleeve 10. The sleeves 5 and 10 receive the body 1 rather snugly so that they may be adjusted longitudinally thereof when desired.

The instrument is placed across the chest of the patient close to the clavicles, the middle of the spirit level being situated just above the sternum. When the instrument is thus placed the patient takes a deep inspiration and the air bubble will show by its movement which lung fills itself with air the quicker and at the expiration which is emptied the faster. It is understood, as shown in Figure 1, that the body 1 is suitably graduated adjacent the spirit level so that therelative movement, that is, the expansion of the lungs may be noted. This procedure, of course, can be followed at different places upon the chest. place the spirit level in a horizontal position the legs 12 of the adjustable supporting element are moved toward or away from each other thus raising or lowering the end of the spirit level engaged with the support- In order to ing element. It is also to be noted that the that the device maybe readily accommodated to chests of different sizes and different irregular formations. v

By the use of the attachment shown in Figure 4 one rib expansion can be tested separately and thus give a fair idea of the elasticity or the capacity of the underlying portion of the lung. This attachment includes a spherical body 20 having a slot 21 passing therethrough adapted to engage "the rod 7 and be positioned thereon. This body 20 is preferably formed of some yieldable material such as rubber so that it may be readily placed in and out of engagement with the rod 7. It will be seen that the spherical body may be placed soas to engage or rest upon only one rib at a time. The attachment including the spherical body 20 is a rib engaging element that may be rested on one rib when the same is engaged with the rod 7 and the legs of the adjustable supporting element may bemoved to place the spirit level in a horizontal position. It is possible for a physician to ascertain whether or not a portion only of the lung is affected by comparing a portion under one rib with the whole of the other lung. It is evident that with the supporting element alone this could not be accomplished.

By applying the hands lightly on the chest, one can feel if one lung empties itself faster than the other but in many individuals the consciousness of being watched and the application of the hands will ease involuntary alterations, such alterations often causing an incorrect diagnosis on the part of the physician whereas with my de- Val vice these involuntary psychological symptoms are eliminated and the patient will. not be as apt to be nervous and will be more susceptible to an accurate test. Furthermore the instrument is very delicate and far more accurate results can be obtained than by the mere application of the hands. By testing the lungs in this manner various forms of pulmonary tuberculosis may be discovered.

Having thus described my invention with some; degree oat-particularity it is thought that the operation of the same will be readily understood Without a more thorough explanation, It is to be understood, however, that numerous changes in the form, details of construction, and the combination and arrangementot parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is 1', A device of the classdescribed including an enlcngated body member provided with an intermediately disposed cavity, a spiritlevel in said cavity, a pair of supporting devices one at each end of the body and adjustable longitudinally thereon, each of said supporting devices being provided with diverging legs and means provided upon one of said supporting devices for adjusting the angle between its diverging legs.

2. A device of the class described including a spirit level, supporting devices at the ends of said spirit level respectively, said supporting devices each including a pair of legs, braces extending between the legs of each supporting device respectively, and a member adapted to be attached to a brace of one supporting device for engaging a single rib in the maner and for the purpose specified.

3. A device of the class described including a spirit level, a pair of supporting devices one at each end of the spirit level and adjustable longitudinally thereof and capable of rotation thereon, each of said supporting devices being provided with diverging legs and means provided upon one of said supporting devices for adjusting the angle between its divergin, legs thereby raising or lowering that end of the spirit I level supported thereby.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signa-' ture in presence of two witnesses.

DARIE LEMIEUX.

Witnesses: v

T. O. GHANTLAND, E. D. MARRIOTT. 

